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All About Plant Food – How Much is Too Much?

Every Gardyner seeks lush, beautiful, and healthy plants. Gardyn’s hydroponic control gives the ability to directly add mineral nutrient plant food to keep plants happy and healthy. But does more plant food mean bigger, healthier plants? Understanding how humans turn food into nutrition and energy can help us to demystify the way plants do the same for plant food. 
People select foods based on calories and nutrition. The most healthy foods are nutrient dense, meaning they are high in nutrients and low in calories, while unhealthier foods that provide little nutrition but are high in calories are energy dense
 

 
When considering what to eat, humans must maintain a healthy balance between calories and nutrients. A person eating nothing but broccoli would have little calorie intake and become lethargic and lose weight over time. On the other hand, if a person only ate potato chips they would feel some energy from the calories, but would ultimately gain weight and get sick from lack of nutrition.
For humans, nutrients and calories are present together in the foods we eat, so we often group them as one when conceptualizing “food.” Plants on the other hand receive their nutrients and calories from separate sources — plants absorb nutrients in mineral plant food through their roots, while they get their energy (calories) from photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is how plants convert light, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. Imagine having the ability to make your own sugary snacks on-demand, just from being in the sun! However, like most sugary snacks, there’s no nutritional value in the glucose created by photosynthesis. The energy is made, but there are no vitamins or minerals.
To access nutrients, plants draw water from the soil (or hydroponic yCube/pod), through the roots, and up into the tissue. The dissolved mineral plant food present in the water satisfies the plants’ needs to convert the glucose energy created by photosynthesis into healthy growth.

 

 
From: trees.com

 

Together, photosynthesis and nutrients work in concert to fuel plant growth. Like humans, if plants get too many vitamins or minerals they can become sick, so Gardyners must be careful with how much plant food is added to the water. More is not always better, and a lot of times straying from recommended levels can cause more harm than good. As long as an adequate amount of nutrients are present, adding more won’t serve to increase plant growth. Gardyners can rest assured their plants receive optimal nutrition by following Gardyn’s guidelines for plant food usage

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Welcome Set

A variety of easy-growing Gardyner Favorites

Greens:

Arugula, Breen, Butterhead, Green Mustard,Kale, Monte Carlo, Red Mustard, Red Sails, Rouge D’hiver, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi

Fruits:

Cherry Tomatos, Jalapeños, Sweet Peppers

Herbs:

Cilantro, Mint, Sweet Thai Basil, Thyme

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Winter Wellness Starter Set

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Bok Choy
  • Breen
  • Bull’s Blood x 2
  • Butterhead
  • Chervil
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Wheatgrass x 2

Herbs

  • Chervil
  • Cilantro
  • Holy Basil
  • Mint
  • Red Sorrel
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers

FLowers

  • Chamomile
  • Fiesta Gitana

Treat Your Senses Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Hon Tsai Tai x 2
  • Kale
  • Monte Carlo
  • Purple Kohlrabi
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Tatsoi
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Hon Tsai Tai x 2
  • Kale
  • Monte Carlo
  • Purple Kohlrabi
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Tatsoi
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits & Veggies

Fruits & Veggies

  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Mini Cauliflower x 2
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos
  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Mini Cauliflower x 2
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos

FLOWERS

  • Snapdragon
  • Sunflower x 2

Gardyn Home Device 2.0

Gardyn Home Device 3.0

PLANT STARTER SET OPTIONS

RECOMMENDED

Breen, Kale, Basil, Butterhead (x2), Dill, Buttercrunch (x2), Green Mustard, Arugula

SUNNY BOUQUET

Sunflowers (x2), Viola (x3), Matilda, Dill, Purple Basil (x2), Tokyo Bekana

TASTE OF ITALY

Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Lollo Rossa, Endive Lettuce, Arugula, Romaine, Kale Lacinato, Mini Eggplant

FARM FRESH

Mini-Strawberries (x2), Chervil, Bok Choi, Red Sorrel, Chives, Matilda, Fiesta Gitana, Kale Lacinato, Chamomile

All options also include 20 Gardyner favorites:

  • Greens – Arugula, Butterhead, Kale, Swiss Chard + 7 more
  • Fruits – Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapenos & Sweet Peppers
  • Herbs – Thyme, Cilantro, Mint and Thai Basil

All options also include 20 Gardyner favorites: Greens – Arugula, Butterhead, Kale, Swiss Chard + 7 more // Fruits – Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapenos & Sweet Peppers // Herbs – Thyme, Cilantro, Mint and Thai Basil

Sunny Bouquet Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Tokyo Bekana
  • Arugula
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Tokyo Bekana

Herbs

Herbs

  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Purple Basil x 2
  • Sweet Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Purple Basil x 2
  • Sweet Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers

Flowers

Flowers

  • Sunflowers x 2
  • Viola x 3
  • Sunflowers x 2
  • Viola x 3

Taste of Italy Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Endive Lettuce
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Lollo Rossa
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Mustard
  • Romaine
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Endive Lettuce
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Lollo Rossa
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Mustard
  • Romaine
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Italian Parsely
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Italian Parsely
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini Eggplant
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini Eggplant
  • Sweet Peppers

Farm Fresh Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula
  • Bok Choi
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Chervil
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Sorrel
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula
  • Bok Choi
  • Breen
  • Butterhead
  • Chervil
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Matilda
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red Mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Red Sorrel
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini-Strawberries x 2
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Mini-Strawberries x 2
  • Sweet Peppers

FLowers

Flowers

  • Chamomile
  • Fiesta Gitana
  • Chamomile
  • Fiesta Gitana

Superfood Fresh Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula 
  • Breen 
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Monta Carlo
  • Purselane
  • Red Amaranth
  • Red mustard x 2
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Watercress
  • Wheatgrass
  • Arugula 
  • Breen 
  • Butterhead
  • Green Mustard
  • Kale
  • Kale Lacinato
  • Monta Carlo
  • Purselane
  • Red Amaranth
  • Red mustard x 2
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Watercress
  • Wheatgrass

Herbs

Herbs

  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Wild Thyme
  • Cilantro
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Wild Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cape Gooseberry
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno

  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cape Gooseberry
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Jalapeno
  • Sweet Peppers

Flowers

Flowers

  • Radio Calendula
  • Radio Calendula

Bounty of Greens Starter Set

Greens

Greens

  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen x 2
  • Buttercrunch x 2
  • Butterhead x 3
  • Green Mustard x 2
  • Kale x 2
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2
  • Arugula x 2
  • Breen x 2
  • Buttercrunch x 2
  • Butterhead x 3
  • Green Mustard x 2
  • Kale x 2
  • Monte Carlo
  • Red mustard
  • Red Sails x 2
  • Rouge D’hiver
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi x 2

Herbs

Herbs

  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme
  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Thai Basil
  • Thyme

Fruits

Fruits

  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos
  • Cherry Tomatos
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Jalapenos